A BUILDER has appeared in court on fire safety charges following a blaze at his home address in which an employee died.

Boguslaw Szylak, 49, was living in the annex of his employer David Lumley's house at Marton, near Sinnington on the North York Moors when he died on July 16, 2017.

Lumley is accused of four breaches of fire safety regulations between October 1, 2015 and July 18, 2017 in connection with the annexe which contained a garage and flat. He is alleged to have failed to ensure the safety of people in the annexe by not taking general fire precautions. Two of the charges relate to dangerous substances allegedly kept on the premises.

Lumley, 68, did not enter a plea when he appeared before York Magistrates Court. District judge Adrian Lower sent the case to York Crown Court on the grounds it was too serious for him to deal with.

Lumley was released on unconditional bail. Mr Szylak was working for the family firm D J Lumley Ltd when he died in the fire which started in the early hours on July 16, 2017. An inquest was told earlier this year he died from smoke inhalation.